Wiley Finance
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Monthly Archives: February 2010

Description:Â The Fed raised the rate it charges banks for emergency loans by a quarter percentage point. WSJ’s Justin Lahart breaks down what it means in an interview with Simon Constable. Source: Marketwatch â€“ video report Â Date: 02/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-fed-raises-discount-rate/62D44209-3F0C-458C-9BF9-6A58762E0ABD Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given in the report for a gradual increase… Read more »

Description:Â The dollar has come back against the euro recently but readers of ‘The Buzz’ still see a weak greenback in the future. Source: CNNMoney â€“ video report Â Date: 02/17/2010 Â Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/02/17/n_bz_dollar_gold_oil_euro.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the assessment for the future value of the US dollar against other currencies and commodities. Do you agree… Read more »

Description: THE Great Recession has intensified a long-running debate: who is better able to look out for your money, a broker or an independent adviser? Now that the shock of last yearâ€™s losses has worn off, many investors are reconsidering what their financial professionals did â€” or failed to do â€” for them. At the… Read more »

Description:Â Â Sears Holdings Corp.Â has agreed to sell its popular Craftsman tool brand through Ace Hardware stores, as the company turns again to outsiders to help grow its sales. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sears-agrees-to-sell-craftsman-tools-at-ace-hardware-2010-02-20 Questions for discussion: Do you think this strategy is sound for both firms? What alternative strategies are available to Sears and… Read more »

Description:Â General Motors chairman and chief executive, Ed Whitacre, Jr. will receive a compensation package worth $9 million, the automaker said Friday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 02/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/19/news/companies/GM_salary/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you believe this compensation is appropriate in light of GMâ€™s history and connection to TARP?Â Do you believe there can be negative reaction… Read more »

Description:Â Fortune editors explain how problems in places like Dubai and Greece are affecting U.S. markets. Source: CNNMoney â€“ video report Â Date: 02/10/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/02/10/f_sl_greece_euro.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the impact that global debt levels and deleveraging may have on domestic as well as international investing strategies? What strategy would you advise â€“ particularly… Read more »

Description: High-yield corporate bonds are being priced as if few of these companies are going out of business, evidence that income-seeking investors are increasingly accepting the greater risks attached to low-rated debt. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/14/2010 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/high-yield-bonds-show-investors-the-money-2010-02-12 Questions for discussion: Summarize the current market conditions for corporate bonds. How should financial managers deal with… Read more »

Description:Â Â Goldman Sachs Group Inc. investment management co-head Marc Spilker is leaving the firm after two decades and will be replaced by a predecessor. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/13/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aheYV90R253M Questions for discussion: How do you think this managerial change might affect investment strategies at the firm? How might investors react?

Description: Large financial institutions that engage in speculative activities for profit should be allowed to fail if they get in trouble, White House advisor Paul Volcker said on Sunday. Source: Reuters.com Date: 02/014/2010 Link:Â http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1414676420100214?type=marketsNews Questions for discussion:Â Do you agree with Paul Volckerâ€™s argument? Explain your answer. What would the impact be on risk… Read more »